My journey as 'The Flag Girl' was one of the biggest challenges I faced in life. It is the story of almost every South Asian girls. Even few years back I was not allowed to step out of the house without taking my guard. When baba passed away in 2005, mom stopped going anywhere. We had debts.
2012 : I had a great opportunity to apply for an Exchange Program to USA. Just like any othe
r mothers, ma consulted ‘others’. Within a blink of an eye my passport and my national ID was seized away from me. We had regular storms inside the house. I was puzzled; this is not how mother usually reacts to something. She would cry that I will never return and I would leave her permanently. She would tell me that we don't need women leaders anymore in Bangladesh. My travels were banned completely; I was told I could only travel once I'm married. My husband will then safely guide me to places. These were not actually her thoughts but the thoughts of 'beloved others'.
2014: Finally got an invite to step out BD all by myself, I was pretty sure that if I asked I'd never be allowed. Sri Lanka, visa on arrival: thought it will be easy, so I picked up my purse, took some few cash and went to airport with my passport. Little did I have idea what trouble am I putting myself to. My new passport was completely empty and I was travelling alone, I was taken to a separate office room, for inspection. Four to five officers questioning every details and finally I managed to head outside Bangladesh. In the next one year, I went out of Bangladesh 29 times and my passport ran out of pages. Now I am determined to travel with my flag. I wish everyone can one day overcome all travel hassles and witness the beauty of Mother Nature.
